Campari Spritz - An Aperitivo Cocktail

Three Italian Products for one great Italian Spritz!

For some at home entertainment and camaraderie during the Covid-19 Shutdown, I joined a Facebook cocktail group with some other wine and beverage professionals. Every week, there is typically a planned theme such as Island Drinks, Gin Cocktails, Classic French Cocktails, etc. Everyone makes a drink and we have a Zoom meeting to discuss what we are drinking. While I haven't been able to attend them all, I have participated in a few. On this evening, Italian Spritz was the theme.

I've written about Campari before in Galveston Monthly, the link to that article about aperitivos and digestivos is here. I will recap it for this cocktail post.

While many people are familiar with the Aperol Spritz, a bolder version can be made with Campari. Campari is part of the Italian amaro family of liqueurs, although Amari are traditionally thought of as digestifs, this one can be enjoyed on both sides of dinner. As I was not wanting to go out to shop for this cocktail night during the shutdown, I used ingredients that I already had on hand - Campari, which I use for Negroni making and a sparkling Rosé, which I had received as a gift, instead of the typical Prosecco.

If you aren't familiar with Campari, it is a ruby-red colored bitter Italian liqueur made from a secret recipe that is believed to be a combination of rhubarb and ginseng among other things. The Martini Sparkling Rosé wine is from Piedmont and is made from a blend of grapes. It is fruity and made in a drier style so it was a good swap for the Prosecco.

For this pre-dinner cocktail, or aperitivo, I used two ounces of Campari with three ounces of sparkling wine poured over ice. The bitter flavor and bubbles is a very refreshing combo. My husband finds the taste of Campari to be a bit too bitter so I added a splash of sparkling water to his. You can also add soda instead for more fizz. The traditional garnish is a slice, wheel, or twist of citrus.

Buon appetito!

Comments

Sculpted in Steel - A Luxury Automobile Showcase from the Art Deco Era

Whether you are visiting the city of Houston or live here full time, if you are a car lover, there is one thing to do this spring that is a must-do. Visit the Museum of Fine Arts Houston to check out the temporary luxury art deco automobile exhibit, Sculpted in Steel . I toured the display recently and was impressed by the array. This collection is a showcase of seventeen cars and motorcycles designed between 1929 -1940. These vehicles are more than art cars or show cars, they are true art deco masterpieces. The museum has great information about the period and designers throughout the exhibit. Go sooner rather than later, they will only be on display until May 30, 2016.

A Noble Taste - Crown Royal Whisky

I met Stephen Wilson, Director of Whisky Engagement for Crown Royal in Houston last month. We sat down for a tasting of some of the brand's more popular offerings including the recently released Texas Mesquite Whisky. Wilson shared the the story of how the brand was created in 1939 when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth came to Canada to tour the provinces. The whisky was stocked on their train for them to enjoy throughout their travels. The name, the shape of the bottle, and the bag were all designed to showcase the whisky as a royal gift. The popularity of the brand increased immediately after entering the American market. It is still the top selling Canadian whisky in North America. This original flagship blend set the standard for Crown Royal, it is comprised of five different styles of whisky blended together from many different years aged in many different barrels both new and seasoned to create the consistent taste and texture that aficionados have always enjoyed

Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows - Santa Monica

Refreshment on the patio of the Lobby Lounge My husband and I stayed at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows with our adult daughter this summer after her graduation from a Masters program at Claremont Graduate University. We wanted to be near the beach but still be able to easily get into Los Angeles to visit some of the tourist attractions. This was our first time to stay at a Fairmont Hotel . I chose the Miramar for its ocean views and its proximity to the Santa Monica Pier and the beach. It has a long history with a Hollywood connection, it has been a destination of the stars for almost a century. After looking over the various room options, I decided that the Palisade King Suite would easily accommodate us. My husband and I shared a private bedroom and our daughter got the fold out couch in the living room. The six story Palisades wing which housed our room is a historic part of the property that was built in 1924. For a more luxe experience, you can also book a pool

by Sandra Crittenden

Search This Blog